LIZARDS
(order Squamata) (suborder Lacertilia)
Keeping lizards as "pets" can be a very challenging task, because, it
has been found that many species will not thrive in captivity.
When looking for a lizard to buy or catch, keep in mind some of the
basic requirements the animal should have while you are choosing a
lizard. The lizard should be alert and active. Check its mouth for signs
of sores, bad teeth or gums, or other indications of mouth rot. Check
the eyes for discharges, make sure the eyes are not sunken into the
head. Observe it walking to insure that there is no damage to the limbs.
Do not accept a lizard that has a discharge from the nose, this could be
a symptom of a respiratory infection.
Lizards vary a great deal in their dietary requirements, therefore, it
is very important that you are very sure of the animal's identification
before you purchase or collect it. You cannot always rely on the pet
store dealer for an accurate identification. If the lizard is one that
you have caught, then you can refer to a field guide for a positive
identification.
Some lizards are strictly insect eaters, others eat only fruits and
vegetables, some will only eat meat, a few lizards will only eat eggs,
and then there are some that will eat nearly anything. Most insectivores
will only eat live insects. If it is hard to get live insects, you may
be able to get the lizard to accept dead food by offering it on the end
of a thin wire. By moving the insect, the lizard will think it is alive,
and often will grasp the food. Insectivores require a large amount of
food, and the food should be varied: don't feed all meal worms, or all
crickets, but try to offer a variety of insects.
The vegetarians or herbivores need to be fed a mixed variety of fruits
and vegetables. Often, color will induce a lizard to eat, so always
include some apple or tomato to the diet if the lizard doesn't seem
interested in food. The meat eaters are often the easiest to induce to
eat. Canned dog food is usually used as a basic, but whole mice are much
more of a balanced diet. Sometimes it is necessary to skin the mouse in
order to get the lizard to eat it. Whatever dietary requirements your
lizards have, their food should be supplemented with a vitamin and
mineral powder. Steamed bone meal is often used. Just sprinkle a small
amount on the food, and then mix it in so the lizards will take it in
with their food.
Although the size of the cage is usually not critical for lizards, cage
props may be essential in order to insure that the animal thrives. If
the lizard is a burrower in the wild then it is often necessary that it
be able to burrow in captivity. If the animal is normally arboreal, Then
you must have a branch for it to climb on. Because of this, it is most
important that you know what species of lizard you have; then learn as
much as possible about its habits and habitat.
Besides cage decorations, always have clean drinking water in the cage.
Many species of lizards do not drink from a water dish. They obtain
their water from dew drops or rain drops that they lap with their
tongues. It is advisable to spray the lizards' cage daily with a fine
mist of warm water.
[Illustration: Common Iguana
_Iguana iguana_]
An important requirement for lizards is sunlight. Often, a lizard seems
to be eating and doing well in captivity, but suddenly dies. This may be
due to a lack of sunlight. In many instances the animal may not eat at
all. If direct sunlight is not available, it can be substituted by the
use of a vita-lite bulb. This bulb, which looks like a fluorescent bulb,
can often be purchased from a large plant store or directly from the
manufacturer.
Lizards often have a more precise temperature requirement than other
reptiles. A daytime temperature range of 85 to 90°F, and dropping to
80°F at night is usually best for the tropical species. Many of the
North American desert species also require a high daytime temperature.
Adult tegus and monitors can be kept at slightly lower temperatures,
usually from 72 to 76°F. As with snakes, the temperature in the lizard
cage can be controlled with a light bulb. The size of the cage will
determine the size of the bulb needed. As previously stated, temperature
can be critical, and many lizards will die if not kept warm enough.
Never guess at the cage temperature--always have a small thermometer in
the cage, and check it often.
Keeping lizards healthy can be a challenging but also frustrating
experience. There is very little information available on lizard
diseases. These reptiles are susceptible to many of the diseases that
snakes get, and often the symptoms are the same. Lizards can get mouth
rot, respiratory infections, parasites (both internal and external), eye
infections, and other common reptile diseases. One disease that is
common in lizards is impaction of the intestines. This is common in
insect eaters that are being fed only meal worms. Often, the impaction
is not noticed until after the animal dies. If the lizard is alone, keep
track of its food intake and fecal output. If an extended period goes by
and the lizard is not making fecal matter, then there could be a
physical blockage in the intestine. Put a little mineral oil up the
cloaca--this will help to loosen the blockage. The best cure is
preventive procedures. Feed a variety of insects if possible, but don't
feed all meal worms.
The other diseases that lizards are susceptible to can be treated by
using the same medications used for snakes. Dosages, of course, must be
less, for we are usually dealing with a much smaller animal.
Good husbandry along with preventive medicine are the best ways to keep
your lizard healthy. Keep the cage clean, feed a proper diet, supply
sunlight or artificial light, and most important: know the lizards'
requirements and natural history.
The following is a list of lizards that usually can be kept successfully
in captivity:
Green Iguana: A lizard from Central and South America, mostly
herbivorous, is arboreal, and can grow to 6 feet.
Tegu: A large carnivore from South America, feeds on mice,
not tame.
Monitors: Large carnivores from the Old World, most do well.
Glass Lizards: Insectivores from North America, will eat dog food,
tail breaks off easily.
Tokay Gecko: Will eat any small animal or insect. Make good pets.
Amevias: Same as tegu.
[Illustration: Great Plains Skink
_Eumeces obsoletus_]
Most lizards from Missouri should be kept during the summer, then
released in early fall where they were collected. Lizards that do not
make good pets are: horned lizards, anoles, collared lizards and fence
lizards.
As with all animals, there are exceptions to the rule; an iguana may
refuse to eat, or a collared lizard may do well for years. Each reptile
within a species may act differently from how the whole species may act
in captivity. Knowing the lizards' habitat and habits will be the
deciding factor in keeping the animal alive and healthy in captivity.